Device for closing and coupling luggage and the like, particularly for motorcycles

Abstract

Device for closing and coupling carryall cases having a shell and a counter-shell which are mutually hinged, the shell being provided with brackets for coupling to racks of a motorcycle. The device has a shaped plate fixed inside an accommodation seat defined within the shell. The shaped plate has first pivoting lugs for linkages which define a first pivoting axis for lever systems for coupling to the counter-shell and a second pivoting axis for a locking plate. The shaped plate has second pivoting lugs for a handle of the case, and the locking plate is provided with a lock and bolt mechanism for closing the device and with an opening for permitting uncoupling of the carryall case from a motorcycle. A snap-action release button connects the linkages to the first pivoting lugs and connects the handle to the second pivoting lugs. The handle has a cross-member which, in closed position, is interposed between the lever systems and the locking plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In combination, a case (1) having means for coupling said case (1) to a motorcycle rack, and a device for closing said case (1), said case (1) comprising; a shell (2) defining on a surface thereof an accommodation seat (5);   a counter-shell (3) hingedly connected to said shell (2), said device for closing said case comprising;   a plate (4) fixed within said accommodation seat (5);   a linkage member (20) pivotally connected to said plate (4) by first pivoting means (10, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22);   a plate like element (25) having a pawl-shaped portion (26) engaging said countershell (3) and connected to said linkage member (20) by second pivoting means (22a, 23, 29), and;   a locking plate (6) having locking means (30) releasably engageable with a portion of said plate (4) and connected to said linkage member (20) by third pivoting means (6a, 22b, 24).   
     
     
       2. Combination according to claim 1, further comprising a handle (7, 9, 39) pivotally connected to said plate (4) by fourth pivoting means (15, 16, 18, 19) and being movable between an open position, whereat said handle (7, 9, 39) can be gripped for carrying said case, and a closed position whereat at least a portion (9) of said handle (7, 9, 39) is located within said accommodation seat (5) between said locking plate (6) and said plate-like element (25). 
     
     
       3. Combination according to claim 2, further comprising spring means (38) for biasing said handle (7, 39) into said closed position. 
     
     
       4. Combination according to claim 2, wherein said first pivoting means (10, 11) comprise lugs (10, 11) protruding from a portion (17) of said plate (4), mutually aligned holes (13, 14) provided in said lugs (10, 11), a first sleeve (21) connected to said linkage member (20), and a pivot (22) connected to said first sleeve (21) and engaging said mutually aligned holes (13, 14). 
     
     
       5. Combination according to claim 4, wherein said second pivoting means comprise a second sleeve (23) connected to said linkage member (20) at a median portion thereof, a terminal portion (27) protruding from said plate-like element (25), bushes (29) defined on said terminal portion (27), and a pivot (22a) pivotally interconnecting said bushes and said second sleeve (23). 
     
     
       6. Combination according to claim 5, wherein said third pivoting means (22b, 24) comprise a third sleeve (24) connected to said linkage member (20) at an end portion thereof remote from said first sleeve (21), wing-like lugs (6a) connected to said locking plate (6), and a pivot (22b) interconnecting said third sleeve (24) and said wing-like lugs (6a). 
     
     
       7. Combination according to claim 5, wherein said terminal portion (27) protrudes in a cantilevered manner from a median portion of said a locking plate (6). 
     
     
       8. Combination according to claim 6, wherein said second sleeve (23) is located between said first sleeve (21) and said third sleeve (24). 
     
     
       9. Combination according to claim 2, wherein said fourth pivoting means comprise lugs (15, 16) connected to an end portion (17) of said plate (4), and aligned holes (18, 19) formed in said lugs and defining a pivoting of said handle (7). 
     
     
       10. Combination according to claim 1, wherein said locking means (30) comprise a single-key lock (30) having a locking bolt (32) simultaneously engageable with a portion of said plate (4) and with a button (33) for operating means (51-53) for releasably attaching said case to a motorcycle rack (56). 
     
     
       11. In combination, a case (1) having means for coupling said case (1) to a motorcycle rack, and a device for closing said case (1), said case (1) comprising; a shell (2) defining on a surface thereof an accommodation seat (5);   a counter-shell (3) hingedly connected to said shell (2), said device for closing said case comprising;   a plate (4) fixed within said accommodation seat (5);   a linkage member (20) pivotally connected to said plate (4) by first pivoting means (10, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22);   a plate like element (25) having a pawl-shaped portion (26) engaging said countershell (3) and connected to said linkage member (20) by second pivoting means (22a, 23, 29);   a locking plate (6) having locking means (30) releasably engageable with a portion of said plate (4) and connected to said linkage member (20) by third pivoting means (6a, 22b, 24);   a handle (7, 9, 39) pivotally connected to said plate (4) by fourth pivoting means (15, 16, 18, 19) and being movable between an open position, whereat said handle (7, 9, 39) can be gripped for carrying said case, and a closed position whereat at least a portion (9) of said handle (7, 9, 39) is located within said accommodation seat (5).   
     
     
       12. Combination according to claim 11, further comprising spring means (38) for biasing said handle (7, 39) into said closed position. 
     
     
       13. Combination according to claim 11, wherein said first pivoting means (10, 11) comprise lugs (10, 11) protruding from a portion (17) of said plate (4), mutually aligned holes (13, 14) provided in said lugs (10, 11), a first sleeve (21) connected to said linkage member (20), and a pivot (22) connected to said first sleeve (21) and engaging said mutually aligned holes (13, 14). 
     
     
       14. Combination according to claim 13, wherein said second pivoting means comprise a second sleeve (23) connected to said linkage member (20) at a median portion thereof, a terminal portion (27) protruding from said plate-like element (25), bushes (29) defined on said terminal portion (27), and a pivot (22a) pivotally interconnecting said bushes and said second sleeve (23). 
     
     
       15. Combination according to claim 14, wherein said third pivoting means (22b, 24) comprise a third sleeve (24) connected to said linkage member (20) at an end portion thereof remote from said first sleeve (21), wing-like lugs (6a) connected to said locking plate (6), and a pivot (22b) interconnecting said third sleeve (24) and said lugs (6a). 
     
     
       16. Combination according to claim 14, wherein said terminal portion (27) protrudes in a cantilevered manner from a median portion of said a locking plate (6). 
     
     
       17. Combination according to claim 15, wherein said second sleeve (23) is located between said first sleeve (21) and said third sleeve (24). 
     
     
       18. Combination according to claim 11, wherein said fourth pivoting means comprise lugs (15, 16) connected to an end portion (17) of said plate (4), and aligned holes (18, 19) formed in said lugs and defining a pivoting of said handle (7). 
     
     
       19. Combination according to claim 11, wherein said portion (9) of said handle (7, 9, 39) is located within said accommodation seat (5) between said locking plate (6) and said plate-like element (25). 
     
     
       20. In combination, a case (1) having means for coupling said case (1) to a motorcycle rack, and a device for closing said case (1), said case (1) comprising; a shell (2) defining on a surface thereof an accommodation seat (5);   a counter-shell (3) hingedly connected to said shell (2), said device for closing said case comprising;   a plate (4) fixed within said accommodation seat (5);   a linkage member (20) pivotally connected to said plate (4) by first pivoting means (10, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22);   a plate like element (25) having a pawl-shaped portion (26) engaging said countershell (3) and connected to said linkage member (20) by second pivoting means (22a, 23, 29);   a locking plate (6) having locking means (30) releasably engageable with a portion of said plate (4) and connected to said linkage member (20) by third pivoting means (6a, 22b, 24);   wherein said first pivoting means (10, 11) comprise lugs (10, 11) protruding from a portion (17) of said plate (4), a first sleeve (21) connected to said linkage member (20), and a pivot (22) connected to said first sleeve (21) and engaging said lugs (10, 11);   wherein said second pivoting means comprise a second sleeve (23) connected to said linkage member (20) at a median portion thereof, a terminal portion (27) protruding from said plate-like element (25), bushes (29) defined on said terminal portion (27), and a pivot (22a) pivotally interconnecting said bushes and said second sleeve (23), and;   wherein said third pivoting means (22b, 24) comprise a third sleeve (24) connected to said linkage member (20), wing-like lugs (6a) connected to said locking plate (6), and a pivot (22b) interconnecting said third sleeve (24) and said wing-like lugs (6a).